Should I buy a Blu-ray player?

[ZERO_of_ZERO]

Consider buying a PS3.

It plays BR discs and does a lot more.

 

[Timelord79 (he/him)]

Any article that's stated reasoning against Blu-Ray is widespread HD streaming is not something I can really take seriously. That sort of thing is becoming more difficult, not easier, thanks to the business practices of the ISP's.

then you need a better ISP.. Mine puts NO limits on downloads nor do they intend to.

Yet... If pretty much ALL people started downloading HD movie content as much as they buy DVDs these days. IPSs everywhere would incredibly fast start to increase prices or restrict your bandwidth after a couple of gibagyte. At the same time they would of course offer you a deal to buy your movies from THEM to get around those restrictions.
It's already happening like that where the necessary bandwidth is available.

 

[hamudm]

Yes, this is what I would do. Cherry pic the best F/X movies for BR. I own a lot of classic movies, but those are fine on DVD. I don't think they can improve the picture from DVD on a movie made 40 years ago.

Actually, it's often the older titles that benefit the most from BD/HD-DVD re-mastering. Try Watching John Carpenter's The Thing blu-ray and you'll know what I'm talking about

I think 35mm film negative can have around 2400 lines of resolution, much higher than 1080. And 70mm no idea, but i think it would be far higher still.

Exactly. I believe film is what's called "4K" whereas HD is 1K.

 

[BigFoot]

Yeah, quite a few (if not most) DIs (digital intermediates) today are done at 4K.

Just for some extra info; they captured the IMAX footage from The Dark Knight at 8K and then downsampled it to 5.6K. They did all the post at 5.6K.

 

[Kail]

Consider buying a PS3.

It plays BR discs and does a lot more.

Like what?

Yes, this is what I would do. Cherry pic the best F/X movies for BR. I own a lot of classic movies, but those are fine on DVD. I don't think they can improve the picture from DVD on a movie made 40 years ago.

Actually, it's often the older titles that benefit the most from BD/HD-DVD re-mastering. Try Watching John Carpenter's The Thing blu-ray and you'll know what I'm talking about

Man, I LOVE "The Thing". I must have seen it 100 times. GREAT flick.
As far as Blu-ray Vs. the picture quality of DVD, what I saw was a DRAMATIC difference. It was indeed as drastic as VHS to DVD, IMO.

 

[ZERO_of_ZERO]

Consider buying a PS3.

It plays BR discs and does a lot more.

Like what?

I havent done much with mine yet, as Ive not had it long but I believe:

Well you can play games on it. (This is an obvious one)
You can access the internet (in a limited way)
You can connect to a PC (via the wireless connection if required) and store files on it etc. (Whatever hard drive you get with it you can upgrade to 240GB I think - without invalidating your warranty)
You can connect to an external hard drive directly via the USB connection (or wireless again) for various reasons - playing music files etc.

There may be more, but I assume its more than a standard BR player will do.

 

[Michael Chris]

I'd look for a good deal, but yes. Blu-ray's are awesome. However, alot depends on screen size, resolution, seating angle, and seating distance. You might not be able to tell a visual difference depending on all that.

 

[TheInsideMan]

Any article that's stated reasoning against Blu-Ray is widespread HD streaming is not something I can really take seriously. That sort of thing is becoming more difficult, not easier, thanks to the business practices of the ISP's.

I think renting via HD downloads will only become more popular. Some people want to see HD content and aren't too worried about not owning it.

I've just treated myself to a Samsung BD 1500, £150 with 2 movies from Amazon and Profile 2.0 ready. At that price point, it was time to go Blu.

I just wish the price of the Blu Ray movies would come down. I've ordered 3 movies, but I can't see me buying many more until the studios get real about the movie prices.

 

[Kryton]

Even Netflix charges a small premium if you opt for Blu-Ray discs.

 

[TheInsideMan]

Even Netflix charges a small premium if you opt for Blu-Ray discs.

That's nothing compared to the Blu Ray disc-purchase premium compared to standard DVDs.

 

[Kryton]

That is true...but I'm sure a company the size of Netflix gets HUGE sweetheart deals from the DVD vendors, so it seems quite unlikely they are feeling much of a "hit" from the difference like us regular schlubs are.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Consider buying a PS3.

It plays BR discs and does a lot more.

Unfortunately, its remote controls work via Bluetooth, which kills compatibility with my universal remote (Logitech Harmony). And I refuse to give up the Harmony, so...PS3's out.

 

[Arrqh]

Any article that's stated reasoning against Blu-Ray is widespread HD streaming is not something I can really take seriously. That sort of thing is becoming more difficult, not easier, thanks to the business practices of the ISP's.

Really depends where you are - we don't all live in the USA you know and blu-ray is intended to be a global format.

Bandwidth caps are even worse in many places worldwide then they are in the US, as I understand it.

 

[Kryton]

Not to worry...I have Al Gore working on it as we speak!

 

[Jim Steele]

So Blu-ray discs will not look as good as they could on my brand new HD TV, because it's not 1080p?

Yeah, I probably wouldn't bother on a 720p tv.

You're kidding, right? The difference between 480i and 720p on a 720p screen is night and day.

 

[dragunzng]

Consider buying a PS3.

It plays BR discs and does a lot more.

Unfortunately, its remote controls work via Bluetooth, which kills compatibility with my universal remote (Logitech Harmony). And I refuse to give up the Harmony, so...PS3's out.

Pretty sure you can just use a USB IR adapter like the one that comes with this.

 

[rafterman1701]

Get the BD player. I did and I'm getting new stuff that way and it still plays my DVDs. I'm only replacing favorites, not every ten dollar disc ever. Maybe we'll be onto pure digital downloads in 5 years, but if you care about picture quality get one now, why not? Picture is way better than DVD.

 

[StarTrek1701]

Blu-ray really fucks up your perspective on porn though. You can see the performers' blemishes, scars, zits and red patches on their private areas. Kills the mood instantly.

 

[DeafPoet]

^

They haven't yet invented a technology that could fuck up my perspective on porn

 

[StarTrek1701]

^

They haven't yet invented a technology that could fuck up my perspective on porn

You should forego blu-ray porn then.